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Caleidonet

Aims

Designing learning objects for multiple stages of adult learning. Lifelong learning often requires organisations and teachers to design ad hoc courses that blend theory with practical applications. A technique to deal with these requirements and, at the same time, to engage adult learners is to rely on narrative or 'story telling'. The classic form of narrative in teaching is the case study. Production of a case study, particularly if it involves multimedia, can be costly and time-consuming. It makes sense, then, to develop case studies that can be used in as many contexts as possible, at different levels of complexity, and even across disciplines. Another way to produce cost effective and high quality multimedia case-studies is to rely on animated speaking characters, instead of real actors, to obtain more flexible production and updating of the case study. Through the Caleidonet project, we have developed and tested a theoretical model for design of multi-disciplinary, multimedia cases for adult learners in different contexts. In the second stage of the project, we will evaluate the effect on learners and learning of different representations of the characters through which the case narrative unfolds.

 

Dondena activities

Design and supervision of the research project and evaluation activities.

 

Dondena researchers

Jane Klobas

Stefano Renzi

 

Partners

TILS (learning and knowledge management), Rome Italy

Stefano Giordano, Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa

 

Funding

Bocconi-TILS research agreement

 

Duration

2003

 

Publications

Renzi, S. (2005). Caleidonet: un learning object scalabile e multidisciplinare. eLearning e Knowledge Management, 2(gen/feb), pp. 40-44.
Klobas, J.E. (2005). Teaching different lessons with a scalable learning object: A case study. Journal of Information Systems Education, 16(3), 329-340.
Klobas, J. E. & Renzi, S., Giordano, S., & Sementina, C. (2004). Scalability of learning objects: Technology and pedagogy. 4th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2004), August 30 Sept 1, Joensuu, Finland, pp. 470-474.